Self-Sealing Valve with Rotational Lock for Refrigerant Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an economical dispensing device compatible with the newly mandated ¾-inch Acme self-sealing valves for small cans of 134a automotive refrigerant, which requires a controlled release mechanism to ensure safe and efficient dispensing of refrigerant.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing valve device with a main body, actuating control, valve body, and collar configuration that allows for controlled release through a locked and unlocked configuration, featuring a detent for preventing inadvertent operation and a female threaded attachment for secure mounting to the canister, enabling selective actuation of fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-sealing valve device with locked and unlocked configurations is implemented, then safety and controlled release are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with rotatable movement capability, transitioning between locked and unlocked configurations. The elongate protrusion on the valve body rotates within the collar's channel, dynamically changing the valve's state from closed (locked) to open (unlocked) based on rotational position, thereby providing controlled release while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device is segmented into distinct functional components: the collar with capture regions, the valve body with elongate protrusion, and the actuating control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve safe controlled release
2Reliability
If a detent mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is designed to preemptively prevent inadvertent operation by requiring a specific rotational action to disengage the detent before the valve can transition from locked to unlocked state. This preliminary anti-action ensures that accidental activation cannot occur, enhancing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The detent acts as an intermediary element between the elongate protrusion and the collar's perimeter zone. It mediates the transition between locked and unlocked states by temporarily obstructing rotational movement, ensuring controlled and intentional operation
3Strength
If friction fit receipt is used between collar and valve body, then secure mounting is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction fit between the collar's channel and the valve body's elongate protrusion creates a self-aligning and self-securing mechanism. The friction force naturally adjusts to the dimensional tolerances of the components, allowing secure mounting without requiring high-precision manufacturing, as the fit compensates for normal variations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a safe and efficient mechanism for controlled release of refrigerant, preventing accidental discharge and ensuring compatibility with the mandated ¾-inch Acme self-sealing valves, thus meeting regulatory requirements while ensuring user safety and operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the collar forming a channel that is sized and configured for friction fit receipt of the valve body
Implementation Method 2
a detent on the perimeter zone located between the first capture region and the second capture region, the detent being sized and configured for temporarily obstructing rotational movement of the button
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sealing valve device includes a main body defining a cavity; an actuating control; a valve body in connection with a plunger in the cavity of the main body; an elongate protrusion extending from the valve body; a collar forming a channel sized for friction fit receipt of the valve body, and wherein the lower end of the collar defines a perimeter zone including first and second capture regions; the valve body being rotatably movable by twisting the actuating control such that the elongate protrusion may be selectively positioned in one of the first and second capture regions; and wherein the first capture region defines a locked configuration wherein the actuating control cannot actuate the flow of the stored fluid and the second capture region defines an unlocked configuration wherein the actuating control may be selectively operated to actuate the flow of the stored fluid.